53
Now after these events it came about that each of these cities in turn gained the empire of the seaFor contrast between the empire of Athens and that of Sparta, 53-61, compare Isoc. 4.104 ff.—a power such that whichever state possesses it holds in subjection most of the states of Hellas.Cf. Isoc. 4.16. As to their use of this power in general, I commend neither Athens nor Sparta; for one might find many faults with both. Nevertheless, in this supervisionHere is the inoffensive word ἐπιμέλεια, supervision, to convey the feeling that the empire of Athens cared for the interests of the confederate states. the Athenians surpassed the Lacedaemonians no less than in the deeds which I have just mentioned.